Floor-free plank exercise device

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a device to allow the user to perform the plank exercise without having to get on the floor that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions. In a related embodiment, the invention includes the ability to do side planks for the oblique muscles and back planks where the user would be facing the anchor point.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to a device that you can perform theplank exercise, amongst other exercises, without having to get on thefloor.

BACKGROUND

Currently there are a number of solutions for exercising whileperpendicular to the floor. Some of these solutions attempt to provideresistance to a workout without the use of various weights, but thesesolutions fail to meet the needs of the industry because they are notdesigned in a manner to work the abdominal cavity without getting on thefloor. Other solutions attempt to use exercise resistance bands, butthese solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industrybecause they do not utilize a sling device to properly position one'sextremities while exercising. Still other solutions seek to beversatile, but these solutions also fail to meet industry needs becausethey are not easily controllable by the user.

It would be desirable to have an apparatus that allows the user toexercise the abdomen and or core muscles without having to get on thefloor. It would be advantageous to have a device that only needs to beattached to a stationary object which/that can be used to work abdominalmuscles while standing. Furthermore, it would also be desirable to havean apparatus that allows for resistance levels to be easily varied.Still further, it would be desirable to have a device that is flexibleand durable.

SUMMARY

The invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies byproviding a device that enables the plank exercise to be performed whilestanding which provides a platform to vary the resistance level of theexercise and its iterations. Therefore, there currently exists a need inthe industry for a device that allows for multiple (front, side, andback) abdominal exercises (Plank) at varying levels of resistance thatis performed while standing.

Most people cannot perform the actual “Plank” exercise position on thefloor. This is primarily due to classic plank exercises are an “All orNone” type of exercise. Thus, if an person's core muscles are not strongenough to support their weight lying on the floor in a “plank” position,they are not able to perform the plank exercises at all. The devicedescribes herein works the plank position starting from no resistance tofull resistance because one is standing up and walking away from theattachment sling of the band. The further one walks away from thestationary object the device is attached to, the more resistance isachieved.

Among other things, it is a feature of the invention to allow one toperform the plank exercise without having to get on the floor that doesnot suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated withprior solutions.

It is still further a feature of the invention to include the ability todo side planks for the oblique muscles and back planks where the userwould be facing the anchor point.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read inconjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and anypreferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed orotherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided byway of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough,complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exercise device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another example embodiment of anexercise device.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the exercise device shown in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a support and cable assembly of an exercise device.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exercise device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of an exercise device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of an exercise device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 9 shows a side elevation view of an exercise device shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 10 shows a front elevation view of a portion of an exercise device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to performing the plank exercise withouthaving to get on the floor.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts through several views, FIGS. 1, 6 and9-10 where the stand-up plank device 10 generally includes a cable 15,first support 20, a second support 25 and an adjustable strap 50. Cable15 generally provides elastic resistance to the user and can becomprised of several materials known to one of ordinary skill in theart. For example, a list of non-limiting materials include, rubber,plastics and nylon materials. Cable 15 will typically be comprised of asingle unitary body. A medial portion of cable 15 is connected toadjustable strap 50 which is a connection means between cable 15 and asupport, such as a pole or door jam.

First support 20 and second support 25 may also include printed orstamped indicia to display an advertisement, trademark, company logo orproduct name. In addition, first support 20 and second support 25provides a support means to allow for a person using stand-up plankdevice 10 to avoid the process of lying on the floor to perform a plankexercise. FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment without bridge 20, whichis removable for other exercises.

Cable 15 also includes two terminal ends which may include cable rings35 which allow for cable 15 to be connected to first support 20 andsecond support 25. First support 20 and second support 25 provide asupport mechanism for a user's arms while performing stand-up plankexercises. First support 20 and second support 25 may be made of anumber of materials such as nylon, polyester, cotton, neoprene andcombinations thereof

First support 20 and second support 25 may also include a D-ring 30which can allow for mechanical connection between cable ring 35. Itshould be appreciated that cable ring 35 and D-ring 30 may have anintermediary connection means, such as a metal carabineer 40, depictedin FIGS. 1 and 6-9.

A best shown in FIG. 1, first support 20 and second support 25 mayoptionally include a trim 45, which can be used to prevent fraying ofarm sling material over a period of use. Trim 45 may also provideadditional support for arm sling when the arm sling is in use. This isespecially advantageous because the arm sling may incur a significantamount of torque when a user places a portion of their bodyweight on armsling during upright plank exercises.

First support 20 and second support 25 may have a means of beingremoveably attached to D-ring 30, such as with hook and loop fasteners(i.e., Velcro®), buttons or fasteners known in the art. First support 20and second support 25 may also be permanently fixed to D-ring 30. Thispermanent attachment can occur through several securement means, such asadhesives, stitching, chemical welding and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3 and 5 where an alternative embodiment ofstand up plank device 10 is described. In at least this exampleembodiment, cable 15 is attached to first support 20 and second support25 with a grommet 55 and a bulge fastener 60 as best shown in FIG. 5.This configuration allows the connection of first support 20 and secondsupport 25 to cable 15 without additional pieces of hardware.

When in use stand-up plank device 10 may be attached, via adjustablestrap 50 to a support. Once secured a user may insert a first humanextremity, such as an arm, into first support 20. The user maysubsequently pass a second extremity into second support 25.

Once the user and stand-up plank device 10 are secured, the user mayadjust first support 20 and second support 25 to be disposed on theforearm area. Alternatively, the user may wish to place first support 20and second support 25 on the bicep region.

Once first support 20 and second support 25 are positioned the user mayparticipate in a number of exercises to focus the plank exercises onspecific muscle groups. In one example exercise, the user may leanforward in a position from at least 15 degrees from a vertical position.In another related exercise, the user may lean backwards in a positionfrom at least 15 degrees from a vertical position. In another relatedexercise the user may lean laterally in a position from at least 10degrees from a vertical position to either the left or right side ofuser. Once positioned in any of the aforementioned positions the usermay hold the position for several seconds, or may hold the positionuntil muscle fatigue requires the user to move to a vertical(non-exercise) position.

While the present invention has been described above in terms ofspecific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings ofthis disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of theinvention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which thisinvention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by boththis disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that thescope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation andconstruction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, asunderstood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure inthis specification and the attached drawings.

I claim:
 1. An exercise device comprising: a cable having a first endand a second end; a first support in mechanical communication to saidfirst end; a second support in mechanical communication to said secondend and an adjustable strap attached to said cable, wherein said firstsupport and said second support are configured in a manner to wraparound a human extremity.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein theexercise device further comprises a carabineer wherein said carabineerconnects said cable and said first support.
 3. The exercise device ofclaim 2 wherein the exercise device further comprises a secondcarabineer wherein said second carabineer connects said cable and saidsecond support.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the exercisedevice further comprises a grommet wherein said grommet connects saidcable and said first support.
 5. The exercise device of claim 4 whereinthe exercise device further comprises a second grommet wherein saidsecond grommet connects said cable and said second support.
 6. Theexercise device of claim 1 wherein said first support is an arm sling ora handle grip.
 7. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said secondsupport is an arm sling or a handle grip.
 8. The exercise device ofclaim 1 wherein said adjustable strap is removebly attached to saidcable.
 9. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said adjustable strapis permanently attached to said cable.
 10. The exercise device of claim1 wherein said adjustable strap is attached to said cable using afastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners,buckles, snaps, clips and belts.
 11. The exercise device of claim 1wherein said cable is made from a material selected from a groupconsisting of nylon, polyester, polyethylene fibers, rubber, neopreneand combinations thereof.
 12. An exercise method comprising the stepsof: selecting an exercise device comprising, a cable having a first endand a second end; a first support in mechanical communication to saidfirst end, a second support in mechanical communication to said secondend and an adjustable strap attached to said cable; attaching saidadjustable strap to a pole; inserting a first human extremity into saidfirst support; and inserting a second human extremity into said secondsupport.
 13. The exercise method of claim 12 further comprising the stepof leaning forward in a position from at least 15 degrees from avertical position.
 14. The exercise method of claim 12 furthercomprising the step of leaning backwards in a position from at least 15degrees from a vertical position.
 15. The exercise method of claim 12further comprising the step of leaning laterally in a position from atleast 10 degrees from a vertical position.
 16. The exercise method ofclaim 12 wherein the exercise device further comprises a carabineerwherein said carabineer connects said cable and said first support. 17.The exercise method of claim 12 wherein the exercise device furthercomprises a carabineer wherein said carabineer connects said cable andsaid first support. wherein the exercise device further comprises agrommet wherein said grommet connects said cable and said first support.18. The exercise method of claim 12 wherein said first support is an armsling.
 19. The exercise method of claim 12 wherein said first support isa handle grip.
 20. The exercise method of claim 12 wherein saidadjustable strap is removebly attached to said cable.
 21. The exercisemethod of claim 12 wherein said adjustable strap is permanently attachedto said cable.
 22. The exercise method of claim 12 wherein saidadjustable strap is attached to said cable using a fastener selectedfrom the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snaps,clips and belts.